Russia demands release of woman in U.S. charged as unregistered agent

Russia issued a statement Thursday criticizing U.S. officials for their treatment of Maria Butina, a Russian woman living in the U.S. who has been charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent.

A statement from the Russian Embassy accused U.S. authorities of arresting Butina on "trumped-up charges" and claimed that prosecutors were trying to "intimidate" her ahead of her trial by placing her in solitary confinement.

"We will continue demanding the release of Maria, victim of the blatant outrage," the embassy said before slamming the Trump administration for its criticism of Russia's involvement in a recent border dispute with Ukrainian forces that resulted in the capture of several Ukrainian sailors.

"If our American partners think they can comment on the detention of people who violated Russia's state border, they should start by commenting [on] the situation around the political prisoner held in their country," the embassy said.

1. "The Maria Butina Song (I Can Get A Man With A Gun)" Sandy and Richard Riccardi

2. Let them whine all they want

Maddow reported last night that the judge had announced a scheduled phone call between Butina's lawyers and Mueller's crew. She could have some interesting information to cough up on her boyfriend, the NRA and Republican contacts. Apparently, she doesn't much like life inside prison.

Too bad.

As for the Russians? They're practicing false equivalencies/whatboutism once again.